Ferris Ranked ‘Best Online Graduate Nursing Program’ by U.S. News and World Report

U.S. News and World Report has ranked Ferris State University No. 1 on its list of
“Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs.” The list was released on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Ferris’ Master of Science in Nursing finished ahead of second-place Lamar University
(Texas) and third-place University of Michigan-Flint. Michigan State University was
43rd in the rankings. Primary factors considered in the U.S. News and World Report rankings
include faculty credentials, graduation rates, and student services and technologies.

“This is very impressive indeed for our University, the College of Health Professions
and the School of Nursing for our online graduate nursing program to be ranked No.
1. I was very impressed by the methodology used by U.S. News and World Report for
its data collection,” said Matthew Adeyanju, dean of Ferris’ College of Health Professions. “I would like to extend congratulations
to all of our faculty and staff and our online academic advisors for their efforts
that have brought this outstanding recognition to Ferris.”

Historically, Ferris’ nursing programs haveprovided career mobility options for students in pursuit of a start in the field of
nursing in addition to helping nurses who are seeking advanced degrees at the undergraduate,
a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and graduate levels, a MSN. The U.S. News and World
Report ranking is a pride builder for the program and the University, according to
Julie Coon, director of the School of Nursing. Coon expressed pride in Ferris’ top
position in the “Best Online Nursing Programs” rankings.

“The School of Nursing is very proud to have our online MSN program ranked as No.
1 in this national survey,” Coon said. “While we have always recognized that this
program is exceptional in terms of meeting the needs of today’s working nurse who
aspires to complete a MSN degree, it is certainly wonderful to have this external
validation.”

In Fall 2012, Ferris has approximately 100 students enrolled in its MSN program, which
features learner-centered curriculum to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills
that are vital for a variety of advanced specialty roles. The MSN program features
three concentrations in specialty leadership roles: nursing administration, nursing
informatics and nursing education. Ferris’ graduate program also is fully accredited
by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

“Our enrollment has steadily increased from 2004-05 when we started the program with
about six students to the 100 we have today,” Coon said. “The MSN has enjoyed a nice
reputation and we attract students from all over the country, which is impressive
when you think about all the online programs that students have to choose from. We
likely don’t have the enrollment that some of thelarger online universities provide, but I think that allows us to maintain the quality
we do have.”

The creation of the 2013 rankings for “Best Online Nursing Programs” was a two-step
process for U.S. News and World Report. Step one was to compile the list of schools
offering these master’s degree programs online while step two was the data-collection
progress from the listed institutions. The start of the data-collection progress began
in late July 2012 and the closing date, Fall 2012. In all, 280 institutions (59 percent)
replied and 101 (36 percent) said that they would be offering an online master’s program
in nursing as defined in the survey.

“The categories that reflect the rating: student engagement, faculty credentials and
training, admissions selectivity and student services and technology are all areas
where the School of Nursing and the University have clearly placed a focus as the
demand for online education continues to grow exponentially,” Coon said. “We are pleased
to be able to showcase this outstanding example of effective online program delivery.”